Millions of people across the world rely on Ibuprofen and similar pain relieving medications everyday. These drugs are used to deal with a sore back, an aching knee, or even after a rough night on the town. Ibuprofen falls under the family of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that work by blocking the hormones known as prostaglandins. Blocking the prostaglandins makes the NSAID effective at treating inflammation but it also has the potentially adverse effect of removing a protective barrier in the stomach lining. This lining requires the presence of prostaglandins to be effective and without it the person becomes susceptible to gastrointestinal problems, gastric bleeding, and ulcers. Recent news reports claim that these complications are responsible for the deaths of 2,500 people annually in the United Kingdom alone.
Other complications from Ibuprofen use include increasing the stress to the kidneys and may causing fluid retention. Fluid retention has negative consequences for people with high blood pressure and those at risk for cardiovascular incidents/stroke. Yet another source of complication can arise from the blocking of prostaglandins for females who are pregnant or are trying to become...